An infected urachal cyst—a rare diagnosis in a child with acute abdominal pain

• Published in: European journal of pediatrics Vol. 171; no. 3; pp. 587 - 588
• Main Authors: Janes, Victoria A., Hogeman, Paul H. G., Achten, Niek B., Tytgat, Stefaan H. A. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-03-2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abdomen, Acute - etiology; Abdominal Abscess - complications; Abdominal Abscess - diagnosis; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen; Biological and medical sciences; Case Report; Child, Preschool; Digestive system. Abdomen; Endoscopy; Female; General aspects; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pediatrics; Urachal Cyst - complications; Urachal Cyst - diagnosis; Infected urachal cyst; Differential diagnosis; Laparoscopy; Abdominal abscess; Childhood; Human; Pediatrics; Acute; Differential diagnostic; Abdomen; Infection; Pain; Abdominal disease; Cyst; Benign neoplasm; Endoscopy; Child
• ISSN: 0340-6199; 1432-1076
• DOI: 10.1007/s00431-011-1622-3

A 2-year-old girl who presented with acute abdominal pain and spiking fever was diagnosed with an infected urachal cyst. Ultrasonography aided the diagnosis and the urachal remnant was removed successfully through a single laparoscopic procedure. Treatment is through removal of the complete structure, to prevent malignant degeneration in adulthood.
Conclusion
: Urachal cysts may cause abdominal complaints when infected. Although rare, they should be added to the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in the paediatric patient, as this case illustrates.